Scenery-brace.



`H. n. VOLLAND. SCENERY BRACE. APPLICATION FILED MAR-22| 1916.

Patented Ma1zv20, 1917.

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HUGO n. voLLAND, or sT. LOUIS, r/IIs'soUItI.

scENEnY-BRACE.

Application led March 22, 1916.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, HUGO R. VOLLAND, a citizen of the United States, and residing aty St. Louis, in the Stateof Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful improvement in Scenery-Braces, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to stage settings, being directed more particularly to scenery braces, such as are employed for bracing what are known as set pieces and holding such pieces in proper position.

In arranging stage settings the set pieces are usually held in place by means of braces extending from the stage floor, it having been the practice, heretofore, to X thelower ends of such braces to the floor by means of screws or the like. This practice is highly objectionable, not only because of the loss of time involved and the difliculty of making what are known as dark changes, but also because of the injury caused to the floors, carpets and other flo-or coverings. Furthermore, in the instance of modern structures, wherein the stage floors are made of hard wood, concrete or the like, the employment of screws or other fasteners f cr holding the lower ends of the braces is, obviously impracticable.

This invention has among its objects,

therefore, to overcome the above mentioned objections by providing a brace which will, without the use of floor engaging screws or fasteners, be thoroughly effective for bracing and holding the set pieces, and which will, therefore, operate without marring or otherwise injuring the floors or floor coverings.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a simplied form of scenery brace which may be readily connected for use and which will, in action, permit ready shifting of the scenery and tilting or like adjustment of the set pieces, and wherein the brace may be readily folded to unobstructing position, back of the piece of scenery, when not in use.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing; y

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a piece Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 20, 1917.

serial No. 85,794.

and, at its lower end, with a floor engaging j cushion or pad 13, preferably vcomposed of rubber, and of rounded or semi-spherical form, as shown, while the scenery engaging means is preferably in the form of a pin 12 and a latch finger 12 pivoted at its lower end to swing laterally to and from engaging position over the upper end of the pin 12.

Slidably mounted on the bar 11, for adjustment longitudinally thereof, is a bearing sleeve 14: having ears 15 in which is pivoted one end of a strut 16 provided, at its nor- -mally free end, with a scenery engaging hook 17, downward `movementof the sleeve 14 on the brace bar beingv limited by a cross-pin or other suitable stop 18.

Mounted on the lower portion of the brace bar 11, for holding the lower end thereof in weighted engagement with the Vfioor surface, is an elongated weight 19, preferably consisting of a length of bar metal, adapted j to seat against the inner or lower side of said brace and to be adjustably held in place thereon by suitable U-shaped clips 20 pivotally connected with the weight and slidably fitted over the brace for frictional engagement therewith to hold the weight in adjusted positions, this weight being of such length that it will act to exert both a downward and an inward pull on the lower end of the brace, thereby holding. thelatter in proper engagement with the iioor surface.

The piece of scenery 10 is provided with means, such as screw eyes 21, suitably disposed for coperation with the members 12 and 17 to hold the brace and strut in detachable engagement with the scenery.

1n the operation of the device, the brace having been connected with the piece of scenery by engaging the members 12 and 17V with the eyes 2l, the lower padded end of the brace will, when the piece 10 is set up, rest upon the door surface and be maintained in secure engagement therewith under the action of the weight 19,' which, as before stated, extends along the brace in suitable position to exert a downward and inward pull, tending to draw the end of the brace toward the floor and also inward toward the piece of scenery, it being noted that the pad 12 not only prevents inarring of the floor surface, but, through frictional engagement tier-ewith, supplements the action of the weight in holding the brace to its work. Giving to the strut being connected for adjustment along the brace bar, 'the brace may be readily adjusted in setting the sceA ery and fixed in its adjusted positions, while the weight may be adjusted along the to accord with such adjustments of the latte and to properly clear the door, it being noted that during such adjustments of the weight, the clips 20 will slide freely along the brace but will frictionally hold the weight against accidental movement. ll'lhen the device is not in use it may be readily folded to an unobstructing 'position against the rear face of the piece of s shown by dotted lines in F ig. 1. so fold the brace, the bearing released and moi/'ed upward therealong, whereupon the brace may be ally on the vertical pivot for bers 12 and 17 and their bear.

The improved brace in its action obfiates mai-ring of the floor or floor coverings, permits of the scenery being freely shifted and set up, and provides for this shifting of the scenery being readily performed in the darli, in making what are known as dark changes. rhe device also provides for properly and securely bracing the scenery uncer conditions which render the use of stage screws cr lilie fasteners impracticable. ln attaining these ends, the invention is not necessarily restricted to the structural details herein shown and described, inasmuch as various minor changes may be made therein Without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1, 1n a device of the class described, comprising a perpendicular piece of scenery, the

employment of a brace bar weighted adjacent its lower `door engaging end, and means for operatively connecting said brace with the piece of scenery, adapted to anchor and maintain the piece of scenery in perpendicular position.

Q. A scenery brace comprising a bracebar, a cushioning pad applied to the lower end thereof, a weight constructed and arranged for maintaining said end in secure frictional engagement with the floor surface, and means for operatively connecting said brace with a piece of scenery.

3. il. scenery brace comprising a brace- 1par, strut adjustably connected therewith, means for operatively connecting said brace and strutwith a piece of scenery, and a weight provided on said brace and constructed and arranged for maintaining the lower end ther-cof in secure engagement with the fieci' surface.

e. rl. scenery brace comprising a bracebar, means for operatively connecting the ie with a piece of scenery, a weight censcructed and arranged for maintaining the lower end of said brace in secure frictional agement with the floor, and a strut operatively arranged between said brace and scenery.

il scenery brace comprising a braccbar, a P

strut connected at one end roi' adjustment along said bar, means for operatii connecting said brace and strut with a piece of scenery, and a weight applied to said r 1 .L i -1 .i c brace lor maintaining the lower end tneieoi secure engagement with the floor surface.

5 A .ice of the class described coinpr Yin' apiece oit scenery, a brace-bar, means fo ceeratiifely connecting said brace with the piece of scenery, and a weight extending along said brace and operating to anchor the scenery in set position and maintain the lower end of the brace in secure engagement with the floor surface.

Y. A scenery brace comprising a bracebai', a strut anjustably connected therewith, ineens operatively connecting said brace and strut with a piece of scenery adapting the brace 'to be folded thereagainst, and means for holding the lower end of the brace in engagement with the floor surface.

ln testimony whereof l affix my signature this 16th day of February, 1916.

HUG@ lt. VGLLAND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C." 

